Visiting Montpellier, the pearl of Occitania
Montpellier is a city in Occitania, a region in the south of France, which captivates with its beauty and its cultural and historical heritage. Montpellier is a city that offers a perfect mix of art, culture, gastronomy and entertainment.
The city of Montpellier, with its medieval architecture, is a very charming place, with many things to do and visit, from its parks and gardens to its churches and museums.
Organizing a visit to Montpellier requires some preliminary planning, so as not to miss all the beauties of the city.
I arrived by car and it was not difficult to find parking. I did not stay long in the city, just one day, but I can assure you that, despite the short time, it was still enough to see the most beautiful and picturesque spots of the city!
Here is a guide to know what beautiful things to visit in Montpellier.
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Place de la Comédie
Start from the famous Place de la Comédie, wich is the nerve center of the city. Also known as Place de l’Oeuf for its oval shape, it is a must-see during a stay in Montpellier.
In the heart of the city, it is lively day and night. This large pedestrian square is surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants, and is the place where the inhabitants of Montpellier often meet.
In Place de la Comédie you will find several historic buildings that are symbols of the city such as the Palais de l’Opera Comice, the Grand Hotel du Midi, the Comédie theater with two large female statues at the top, which have become symbols of the city, and the Fountain of the Three Graces.
The city center of Montpellier
From the west side of the Place de la Comédie you can access the historic center of Montpellier. Here you can lose yourself in the delightful corners of rue de la Loge and rue Foch, and admire the facades of the city’s historic buildings. Here you will also find the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture from the 14th century.
This Gothic monument in the heart of the historic center is one of the must-see places in the city of Montpellier. Founded by Pope Urban V, the chapel of the Saint-Benoît-Saint-Germain monastery complex was erected as a Cathedral in 1536. Since 2002, the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre has been part of the parish that includes all the churches of the city.
La Promenade du Peyrou
Discover the Promenade du Peyrou, a large public park located on a clearing attached to the historic center. This park is the largest in the city, with its period kiosks, statues and fountains. It is frequented by the city’s inhabitants for walking and jogging. In the center of the park is the beautiful Place Royale du Peyrou.
From the park you can admire the view of the Mediterranean Sea, the Camargue and the surrounding hills of the city.
Place Royale du Peyrou
The Place Royale du Peyrou is a large panoramic square located north of the historic center. Starting from the Place de la Comedie, after a nice 10-minute walk you arrive at this beautiful square that at sunset colors the buildings and monuments orange-pink!
On the royal square, and the water tower designed in the 18th century.
Here you can admire the Arc de Triomphe, built to celebrate the victory of Louis XIV in the war against the Spanish and his equestrian statue. The Arc de Triomphe, which is the entrance gate to the historic center of Montpellier, is located opposite the Promenade du Peyrou. Its architecture is wonderful!
The view from the Peyrou hill is spectacular. From there, you can admire the entire Gulf of Lions, the sea and the Camargue.
Aqueduct St Clément
The Roman aqueduct of Montpellier, also called Aqueduct St Clément, is a popular tourist site and an important part of the city’s historical heritage. It was built in the 1st century AD to supply water to the city of Montpellier and can be seen just behind the Place Royale du Peyrou.
The aqueduct extends for about 14 km with a maximum height of 57 meters. Most of the structure was built from local stone, and some of the bridges through which the water passes are still standing. The water was taken from springs near the town of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and brought to Montpellier through the aqueduct.
The construction of the aqueduct contributed to the expansion of the city of Montpellier during the Roman period. Over the centuries, the aqueduct suffered several damages and interruptions, but in the 19th century it was restored and used to supply water to the city until 1945.
Antigone District
The Antigone district of Montpellier was designed by the Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill in the early 1980s. It is a modern district, characterized by monumental buildings with very particular architecture. The Antigone District was designed around a large open space, the Place de Thessalie, which today houses numerous shops and restaurants.
This area is characterized by imposing buildings, wide avenues and large green spaces. The riverside is a very pleasant place to relax, even in the evening.
The district is quite touristy, with numerous attractions such as the Fabre Museum, the Montpellier Theater, the Stade de la Mosson and the Polygone shopping center. In addition, Antigone is also a residential district, with elegant houses, apartments and villas.
Antigone is well connected to the rest of the city of Montpellier by the metro and several bus lines. It is also easily accessible by car, with numerous parking lots available throughout the area.
Fabre Museum
The Fabre Museum, inaugurated in 1825, is one of the largest art museums in France. Located in the heart of the city, it contains a collection of more than 800 works of art, from the 14th to the 21st century, including paintings, sculptures and drawings. Here you can admire the works of great masters such as Rubens, Delacroix, Courbet and others.
The Place de la Canourgue
The Place de la Canourgue is another historic square in Montpellier, located in the eastern part of the old town. You can admire the imposing façade of the Palais de la Préfecture, dating back to the 16th century. Also nearby is the Maison de Heurs, a Renaissance-style building that now houses the Museum of Languedoc, dedicated to the history and culture of the region.
The Villa of Castelnau-le-Lez
A few kilometers north of Montpellier is the small town of Castelnau-le-Lez. Here you can admire the magnificent Villa of Castelnau, a large stately home built in the 18th century. This elegant villa was built according to the fashion of the time and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.
Why visit Montpellier?
In addition to the tourist attractions I have told you about, Montpellier is a city full of life and energy. With a Mediterranean climate and a rich nightlife, it is ideal for lovers of art, culture, and gastronomy. It is a perfect city for a culturally stimulating holiday, but also relaxing and fun.
Gastronomy: Montpellier’s restaurants offer dishes from the south of France, with specialties such as Camargue rice, and bouillabaisse, the famous Provençal fish soup with scorpion fish, red mullet, eel with saffron and olive oil.
Discover the Occitan culture: Montpellier is located in Occitania, a Western European cultural region with many unique traditions. Visiting it, for example, will allow you to discover the Occitan langa, an ancient language similar to Catalan.
To discover other stops in the South of France, check out my stories about Toulouse in one day, Carcassonne and its beautiful and legendary castle!
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